Promoting water transport connectivity among Mekong countries

According to the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration, the Mekong - Lancang Cooperation (MLC) has the participation of 6 member countries: Vietnam, China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Within the framework of MCL, the Technical Assistance Project on Harmonization of Standards and Regulations among Mekong - Lancang Countries on Waterway Transport was approved at the 3rd MLC Cooperation Summit held in Cambodia in 2018, funded by the MLC Special Fund.

Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration is assigned as the project owner and the agency in charge of coordinating cooperation within the project framework with MLC countries in the field of waterway transport.

The Harmonization of Standards and Regulations Project between Mekong - Lancang countries will facilitate water transport between countries and promote logistics (Photo: illustration).

The project aims to standardize and unify international waterway transport regulations. In fact, the Mekong - Lancang River currently flows through 6 countries, and cross-border waterway transport activities are bustling, especially in downstream countries.

However, cross-border transport activities, especially cross-border transport activities on the Mekong - Lancang River, still face many difficulties, due to differences in the technical regulations applied to water transport activities of countries.

Therefore, with the implementation of the project, a list of standards and technical regulations on waterways will be developed, recommended for common use or harmonization among member countries, or applied to members that have not yet issued a system of documents and standards.

"The overall goal of the project is to promote freedom of regional waterways and support international trade for Mekong River countries, ensuring the development of regional waterway transport in a safe, efficient and sustainable manner," said a representative of the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration.

The agency also said that it has coordinated with colleagues from MLC countries to conduct research and prepare a draft project report.

In preparation for the conference to announce the project report (final announcement) and to conclude the project, in late August and early September 2024, the Department will hold bilateral meetings with state management agencies at the same level in the lower Mekong countries, including the Lao Water Transport Department, the Cambodian General Department of Water Transport - Maritime and Ports, and the Thai Maritime Department to review once again the agreed contents in the project report.

These agencies affirmed that the implementation of the project not only contributes to strengthening technical cooperation between state management agencies in the waterway sector but also facilitates waterway travel between MLC countries, contributing to promoting economic development, logistics and environmental protection.

The final conference and project summary are expected to be held in Hanoi at the end of September 2024.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/thuc-day-ket-noi-van-tai-thuy-cac-nuoc-mekong-lan-thuong-192240831160035158.htm